June Cleaver probably would have been delighted wherever and however the Beaver did his homework-at his bedroom desk, on his bed, at the kitchen table-as long as he did it.
In the decades since the ’50s television series aired, life has gotten more complicated-and expensive-for school children and their parents.
Some children, perhaps taking a cue from work-at-home moms and dads, have the latest in furnishings and equipment to inspire them and make them more efficient. Desks are being built into bedrooms and outfitted with computers, even fax machines.
But, before you rush to redo junior’s room in the hope that it will produce straight A’s, relax. June Cleaver may have been right. More isn’t always necessary, say many children’s learning and organizational experts. First, define your child.
Like adults, children have different learning and work styles. They should have a say when it’s age-appropriate, recommends Thomas Armstrong, a columnist for Parenting magazine and author of several books, including “Awakening Your Child’s Natural Genius” (Jeremy P. Tarcher, $12.95).
“Some kids are sensitive to noise and should do homework far from the television and social chitchat, while others do better with some sounds, maybe not television, but music,” Armstrong says.
Similarly, some children are motivated sufficiently to get their work done in short chunks of time, here and there, while other kids need a specific, longer interval each day, says Judith Calica, a Chicago social worker in private practice. “It depends on the child, but some consistency-the same daily time-has been known to lead to good results, especially when establishing homework habits,” she says.
Joint decisions
Armstrong said he also believes the theory of logical consequences should apply when it comes to setting up the homework environment and getting the work done: Children get a say in the place and time as long as results are satisfactory. “If children are able to get their work done well in a room that’s messier than a parent likes, for example, that’s OK. But, if (homework) results prove disappointing, changes need to be made,” he says.
“Within limits and after a certain age, you shouldn’t interfere in a child’s style, including how messy their room is, as long as their work doesn’t suffer,” says Armstrong, who describes himself as a messy kid who became a “messy, creative” adult. “My mother was a surgical nurse. She insisted on neatness. I always felt my rights were trampled on.”
But how do parents make these decisions for their children? Calica says most parents have a wealth of information and experiences to draw from by the time their children are in school and receiving homework.
“They’ve seen how their child learns and performs, perhaps in non-school activities, and what they need to be successful,” she says. “If they know that their child is often exhausted after a long school day, it’s probably best to have that child relax before tackling homework.”
The work environment
A good way to develop a homework plan is to ask specific questions, adds Sarah Edwards, co-author with her husband, Paul, of the bestseller, “Working From Home,” (Jeremy P. Tarcher, $15.95). “For example, ask, `When do you feel is the best time for you to do your homework?’ `Do you like to do it in small, 15-minute periods?’ Also ask, `What can I do to help you get it completed most easily?’ “
Among the most critical decisions is where to place a work center, which educational experts say is important for every child to have, even if it’s not the place they do all their work. Again, parents can help to select the location by asking what’s important and what’s not, Edwards advises. “If windows are (important) because of a desire for daylight, air and views, don’t put it (the work station) in a windowless, claustrophobic space, even if too much daydreaming is a concern,” she says.
For the vast majority of children, the main homework area will be in their bedroom or in a bedroom they share with a sibling.
If proximity to mom or dad, however, is important for homework, either for occasional help or comfort after the school-workday separation, it may be better to place the study center in or near the kitchen or a den/family room, Calica says. “That also helps a parent pursue their own activities and serve as a `hovering’ rather than `overly controlling’ presence,” she adds.
Interior designer Leslie Stern, who lives in a house in Chicago and has two elementary school-age children, thinks two areas-one for quiet study and one for projects-are ideal.
“Each child has a desk in their bedroom. Projects are done on a table in our sunroom. I can be attentive without hovering,” she says.
Once the location (or locations) has been determined, it should include a large enough work surface so that children can spread out or sometimes work with a friend. The location should have areas for files; adjustable bookshelves; a comfortable reading chair or window seat; and floor space, because many children like to sprawl out to work, read and goof off.
Renovating an area
If starting from scratch, Stern suggests a work surface of at least 5 feet in length, 30 inches in height and 18 to 24 inches in depth. The surface should be made of a sturdy, washable material like laminate, she says. Practical desks have a least one drawer that’s finished inside and glides out smoothly.
Nearby should be an area for storing and displaying books and supplies. Chicago architect Allan J. Grant advises including more shelving than initially needed because most children tend to be great collectors. If bookshelf space is limited, he recommends outfitting a corner of a closet with bins and shelves.
While many consider a computer critical to a child’s success, Armstrong thinks that children younger than 12 should use a family computer rather than have their own. “Otherwise, it’s socially isolating,” he says.
Whether a computer is placed in a bedroom or family room, it should stand away from direct sunlight so that the screen can be read easily. The keyboard should be mounted on a pull-out drawer. Many furniture manufacturers like Lexington Furniture Industries of Lexington, N.C., which has a showroom in the Merchandise Mart, offer children’s computer desks in their collections and in different materials and styles, with price tags less than $500.
Grant advises including several outlets close to a computer and a grommet in the work surface to hide the tangle of wires. Most children, especially older ones, need additional outlets for stereo equipment or electric pencil sharpeners. Grant recommends placing two or three outlets every 3 feet along the work counter and checking with an electrician to be sure that there’s sufficient power.
The best desk chairs for children are similar to the adjustable ergonomic office chairs that adults use to avoid muscle strain. While most manufacturers don’t produce child-size versions, many adult models can be adjusted to an older child’s frame.
Vecta, a Grand Paririe, Texas, manufacturer with a showroom in the Mart, offers one that lists for $800 and up, for example. It features an adjustable back and sliding seat.
For younger children, interior designer Stern suggests a straight-back desk chair with support that allows them to feel comfortable and have their feet not too high off the ground.
Posting it for results
When Rhonda Sanderson redecorated her 9-year-old daughter’s room, she found a bulletin board a useful tool for posting homework assignments and displaying favorite pictures, medals and ribbons. “I wanted her to understand that when you work hard, there are rewards,” says Sanderson. “It helped her focus on goals, gain self-esteem, and she also liked the fact that I had gotten involved in coming up with a solution.”
Perhaps the best testimonial for a well-planned study area is offered by mother Jane Tiffen. She plans to convert the room of her soon-to-be college-age son, designed by architect Grant, into an at-home office for her, at least while he’s away at school.
“It worked so well for him, I decided, why not,” she says.
